JH Eventing

10/19/2021

It all started with a dream

10/11/2021

✔️ 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟐 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞/𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 ✔️⁣
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Great riding, creative costumes, lots of smiles, and more! We’ve run our “fall fest” horse show for more years then I can count now and every year I’m amazed by the teamwork, learning moments, and how smoothly the day goes. Fabulous judging with great feed back for all levels (thanks Erina), challenging but rewarding course, awesome costumes, and lots of laughs along the way at all levels! Thanks all for coming, riding, spectating, volunteering and making these wonderful days possible! They truly are the root of the sport! ⁣
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Huge thanks to .equine for capturing these amazing moments (go check them out and score some amazing deals on your pics!)! ⁣
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Stay tuned for our upcoming activities and clinics including some adult clinics nights (on and off horse!), a Booli Selmayr clinic, Niall Quirk clinic and more! Message Jess at [email protected] to get on our eBlast list! ⁣
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10/08/2021

Join us Sunday Oct 10 at Baile Hill Farm in Sutton, MA to jump around or show off your costumes! Jump division times below (subject to change if entries boost). Welcome to enter day of. Professionally designed courses, all weather footing, optimum time rounds, ribbons, prizes, fun, no pressure. Contact Jess for questions at [email protected]. See ya there! ⁣
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2 Phase Jump, Optimum Time & Costume Time⁣
*times subject to change if entries warrant but estimated for arrivals and planning*
Itty Bitty (Ground pole): 11:00-11:30⁣
Starter (xrail)-11:30-12:00⁣
SENIOR COSTUME-12:00⁣
JUNIOR COSTUME-12:15⁣
Elementary (2'): 1:15-1:30⁣
Adv Ele (2'3): 1:30-1:45⁣
BN (2'7): 1:45-2:05⁣
N (2'11): 2:05-2:20⁣
T (3'3)-2:20-2:35⁣
P (3'7): 2:35-2:50⁣
Height of Choice: 2:50-on ⁣
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*Two Phase/Dressage riders check your email for ride times!⁣
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10/08/2021

to this 🙌 spotlight by Practical Horseman Magazine
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"To sit or not to sit while riding a course? The question of seat position continues to be one of the most confusing topics among many riders in the jumping disciplines. One reason: Today, the most effective top riders competing at the highest levels use a variety of seats. So, when do we sit and when do we stay out of the saddle?"⁣
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Do you know the differences and purposes of the four seats used on course? In this article, trainer and clinician Bernie Traurig ­demonstrates the four riding seats and when to use each one on course.⁣
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"The four seats used on course are half-seat, light-seat, full-seat and driving seat, and each seat has infinite degrees of variation ... Regardless of your preference, it is important to master each of the four seats to use as tools in your toolbox while on course because the demands of the course may ask for variations of your ­position from moment to moment."⁣
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Click the link for Traurig's definition of each seat and explanation of situations in which you might use each one.⁣
https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/to-sit-or-not-to-sit

🎥 View the corresponding video at 👇
http://www.equestriancoach.com/content/building-blocks-great-position-part-5-sit-or-not-sit

📸: Terri Miller

10/08/2021

🍂🍃 Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.🍃🍂⁣
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Who else loves fall riding?! Perfect layering weather, beautiful back drops, great footing, a chance to wrap up the season and perfect those moments by little tweaks. How lucky are we to have the opportunity to do something we love, with creatures who fill our soul, in a place so magical? ☺️⁣
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10/02/2021

💥Join us Oct 10 for a 2 phase, jumper and dressage show at Baile Hill Farm in Sutton, MA (with COSTUME CLASS)💥⁣
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Mother natures put a damper on everyone’s event schedules this year but the seasons not over until we say so! Low key, friendly atmosphere, something for all! Professionally designed courses, good feed back, ribbons, prizes, and more! ⁣
-Two Phase: Ground poles through Prelim (leadline included!) ⁣
-Jumper Division: Optimum Time ground poles through 3’7 (higher upon request) ⁣
-Dressage Only: test of choice USDF or USEF test for small arena. 2022 USEF tests included (never too early to prep for next season!) ⁣
-Costume class: junior & senior! Let’s get creative! ⁣
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Times will be posted as soon as entries are complete. Jump heights will have an open gate time to jump within and be judged on optimum time. ⁣
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Enter online at to reserve your spot: https://www.striderpro.com/a/pf3FLSFopEiBE2GbczoI-w⁣
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10/01/2021

🌹𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐚 🌹⁣
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Gala is a 12 year old 16.2hh well built bay TB mare. Gala has experience competing through novice and schooled training with ability for more. Gala is confirmed on the flat with a lovely soft connection, 3 solid gaits, and well schooled in lateral work. She could be competitive in straight dressage. Gala is forward but rideable to jump and goes in a snaffle in all 3 phases. Would also excel in low level jumpers in good company. Gala has been to many clinics, hacks in company or alone, and is ready to make her next person smile. Suitable for a game junior or AA in a program. Is a sweetheart in the barn, turns out alone or with a buddy, and is adaptable to big or small barn atmospheres. Not currently on any hormones and does not know it. Located in Sutton MA. Asking $15k for quick, uncomplicated sale. Contact Jess at 978 875 2036 or [email protected]
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09/24/2021

*too add to this. Are you/your kid ready to jump big? Can you properly trot a fence? Can you do 9 in a 6 stride in rhythm? What about 4 in a 3, 3 in a 4 and know when/why? Can you counter canter a fence? Can you jump without stirrups? Without reins? But before you even get to the “jumping” can you get your horse in front of your leg? Adjustable? In the connection? Shoulder in? Haunches in? Half pass? Leg yield? Rein back? Turn on the forehand? Haunches? Counter canter? Simple change? Full change?

Jumping “big” may be fun-trust me we’ve done plenty of organized jumps offs. I’ve had students leave me for being too cautious with their move ups but I’m a big believer in the process and safety and form=function, and even the most prepared are going to bobble. We ride 1000lb animals who have a brain of their own in conditions we can’t always control. We do this for the love of the horse first, sport second. And if you are thinking otherwise maybe reconsider. Not only is it a physical and mental challenge but it’s expensive. Weekly lessons are great but as your move up this sport demands more of your body and brain so moving into a lease or ownership to not only accomplish your dreams and goals but to get the saddle time you need makes sense. Be open with your trainer, riding is a journey and we all want to get you there in a safe, logical way that works for you and the horse. You’re going to have to work for it, it’s not going to be easy, but it certainly can the ride of a life time.

Think about it-Maybe jumping big might be the least of your concerns. See ya at your lesson ☺️

Every student/rider should read this and understand why it is you can’t always just “jump bigger” or “run faster” etc…

((This is NOT mine))

Haven’t done one of these in a while - my last one got over 3k shares and eyes 😳this one has been sitting on my mind for a while now…

We are going to go on a small rant that’s been brewing for a while. This entire “I want to jump big rant, but only want to pay for lessons.”

My lesson horses are saints. They work hard. They know their job. Their job is to teach your child the fundamentals on how to be a better rider so they can then decide if this is really what they want to pursue. So with that said, they are limited in jump height for lessons. I’m not going to ask my lesson horses to jump over 2’3” all week just so your kid can “jump bigger.”

You want to jump bigger? Great! I love hearing that! But now it’s time to put some skin in the game. Half lease, lease, or purchase a horse. Why? Because the maintenance and care I put in my horses to compete and stay at that higher level far supersedes your X amount of lesson fee.

My horses all go in shoes when they compete/jump bigger, get massage, chiro, magnawave, maintenance (injections/whatever they need) and not to mention the board, insurance, teeth, and regular annual maintenance. Want to know what that adds up to? Over 1k per month for me to keep a horse for your kid to come “jump big” once a week.

So when you want to leave me because I say it’s now time to half lease or lease so your kid can continue to accomplish their goals - don’t be surprised when I don’t try to hold on to you or beg you to stay. At that point my horses and myself are being fully taken advantage of and I will not tolerate it.

Horses are expensive. Period. There is no way to get around that. So please don’t get upset when I protect my lesson horses best interest, because when they break or something happens - guess whose paying the bill? Me. Guess whose suffering? My horse!

Now for those who still don’t understand - let me break it down this way to where maybe the concept will be easier.

You buy your dream car. Let’s say a Ferrari. You take great care of it, the best parts, pay great insurance, and all. I show up once a week ask for the keys throw you $60 and go romp on it around the block for an hour. Breaking down the breaks, god forbid I scratch it, or cause something to break, come back and throw the keys back at you and say “thanks - see you next week!” Now, how would
You feel? It just DOESN’T WORK LIKE THAT. Was that $60 worth the damage that was just put on the vehicle? No!

Now let me preface this - if I have a hard working kid that can’t afford a half lease, but who comes and bust their butt for me. Yes, I will give them plenty of opportunities! I know everyone is not made of money - I worked my butt off to get where I am now and worked very hard to have the rides I did growing up.

So understand what I mean when I say you need skin in the game. Show some commitment. These horses aren’t robots. They work hard and I will NEVER stop protecting my lesson horses.

End rant 🦄

09/21/2021

Let your child have a bad ride.
I know you want to protect them from the hardships of this world.
I know you want to give them success and good experiences.
I know you don't want to see them get hurt. To see them fall. To see them fail.
But, hear me out, let your child have a bad ride.

Let them cry the tears of frustration.
Let them shake the sand out from the inside of their riding pants.
Let them face the fear building inside of them.
Let them step back on again.

Yes, let your child have a bad ride.
Let them hate the horse that challenges them.
Let them learn what fight and passion and ambition mean.
Let them realize that when they refuse to quit the horse will take the time to listen.

Grant them the joy of realizing that they are connecting with another living being.
Grant them the joy of realizing that they, although they are small, can be powerful.
Grant them the joy of seeing their hard work pay off, through the days of tears can come a love unspeakable.

Yes, let your child have a bad ride.
Afterall, life will grant us plenty of them.

*not my words or picture, but I loved them so much I just had to share.*

09/21/2021

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I like to watch the warmup at big shows for a million reasons, but one is this: more often than not the one that’s doing boring basic work, like transitions and 10m circles, is the one that’s going to win, and the one banging out movements a million times is definitely not.

09/17/2021

2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests Available Now!

09/17/2021

🧘‍♀️🐴🌾 Sept 20: 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐲🌾🐴⁣🧘‍♀️⁣
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Join us for another session of Namaste by the Hay with the fabulous Bri! All levels of yogi participants welcome (riders or not!)! Equestrian focused session that targets our riding muscles to tone, stretch and balance us out! ⁣⁣classes held outside or in wet weather in indoor! Weather looks to be perfect!!
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When: 7:00pm Monday Sept 20
Where: Baile Hill Farm Sutton, MA ⁣⁣
Sign up: Pre-register (contact Jess at [email protected] and complete payment) by Sat Sept 18 for $15 class fee. Drop ins welcome on a limited basis for $20. ⁣⁣
What to bring: Mat (or towel or blanket), rope (Leadropes work!), a drink, and a positive attitude! ⁣⁣
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See ya all there! ⁣⁣

09/15/2021

Huge thanks to Apple Knoll Farm for another year of fabulous Area 1 Schooling Show Championships! ⁣
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We had riders prepping for GMHA, running their first two phases and in champs. The courses were educational and fair and the day ran so smoothly. We are SO lucky to have these facilities, resources, and opportunities locally (so take advantage of them!) ⁣
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Huge congrats to all of our riders but huge shout out to Maya & Quinn who have been quite the pair all season to finish as reserve champ! Thanks to Purina and all the other sponsors-he certainly appreciated his Cookie jar prize! ⁣
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09/14/2021

Row row row your boat

Carl Hester helps us develop the often neglected gait – the walk
“The use of the head and neck is so important in walk, it should be like a rowing motion, the horse has to take your hand forward and not fiddle and get behind the vertical. Practice a lot of correct walk at home and get your horse used to being ridden forward in walk.”
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/09/the-walk-whats-important-tips-from-carl-hester/

09/14/2021

https://spriesersporthorse.com/5-things-youre-definitely-not-doing-often-enough/?fbclid=IwAR2RFHrZTe4g0HfoULGrttZgH16fXSNa63XvCjq-yxKc1ve0PXmXjkUac9c

“Corners are your best friends!”

1. Riding corners. It’s so easy at home to get just a little lazy about corners, and that’s an expensive mistake. Because then when you start putting tests together, surprise! There are corners in those! And even just in regular schooling, corners are where all the prep lives for your lateral wo...

09/08/2021

Another staple in our arena. Know those turns!

When was the last time you did a turn on the forehand❓ It’s probably a good idea to go back and revisit this exercise!✅✅

The turn on the forehand is a VERY IMPORTANT tool in Dressage training. In the turn on the forehand, the horses’ hind end moves around the front end of the horse. The horse can either pivot on the inside front leg or keep the walk sequence and move the inside front leg in a very small circle.

Why do a turn on the forehand:

✅Submission – the turn on the forehand can be used to get the horse focused on the rider and can help to prevent spooking or other undesirable behaviors such as rearing or bucking.
✅Suppleness – this movement helps get the horse to stretch in the back by reaching and crossing over with the hind legs.
Straightness– the turn on the forehand can help to straighten the horse. Especially when done on the horses’ stiff side.
✅To lift the back and thoracic sling muscles. In order to do a turn on the forehand, the horse has to lower and engage the hind end and lift through the thoracic sling in order to cross the hind legs.
✅More maneuverability of the horse -the front end stays in place and the hind end moves. This is very useful for opening and closing gates!
✅To educate the horse about the function of the inside leg and the outside rein.

The Aids for a Turn on the Forehand-

✅Inside leg at the girth to push the inside hind leg over
✅Outside rein – keeps the neck straight, controls the outside shoulder
✅Inside Rein – for slight flection to the inside
✅Timing of the aids: press with the inside leg when the inside hind leg is leaving the ground, half halt with the outside rein when the outside front leg is leaving the ground.
✅How to introduce the turn on the forehand?

It is best to introduce the turn on the forehand with a square and making quarter turns on the forehand at each corner of the circle. Another great method for introducing the turn on the forehand is to halt on the rail, flex the horse slightly towards the wall, and do a half turn on the forehand away from the rail.

https://amelianewcombdressage.com/turn-on-the-forehand/

09/08/2021

Labor Day weekend in perfect fall weather is for jumping greys for days ☀️⁣
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09/07/2021

You’ve heard it before you’ll hear it again “hind legs to half halts! Hind legs in your finger tips!”

George Morris tells all riders:
“Feel the hindleg in your hand, a steady hand. Today we have this fashion for hand riding, don’t copy fashion, what is important, is correctness. You must have elasticity from your shoulder to the horse’s mouth, a straight line, a steady connection and elasticity of hand.”
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2019/05/more-wisdom-from-master-george-morris/

09/05/2021

Been slacking on posts but not slacking on progress! ⁣
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✔️𝐌𝐘𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 ✔️⁣
Whitney/Hunter and Chloe/Cruze rocked around the beautiful Myopia with solid trips and ribbons to boot. Such great progress from these pairs in such a short time. So impressed by them! Huge thanks to Cara for helping out and rocking out an under saddle class on Hunter! Thanks to Myopia for hosting! ⁣
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09/02/2021

For your consideration:
DJ Mystic Thumbs up
"Jackson"

2015 16.2 Appaloosa x Appendix with papers
Mystic Doc Jay x Thumbs Distinction

Jackson is a flashy type who is sure to get you noticed in any discipline of your choice or as a fun all around type! He has 3 solid gaits with a head turning trot and lead changes. Snaffle mouth in all phases. Jackson is the same horse at home as he is off property. Jackson has begun his show career in the local hunter ring, jumper ring, and most recently eventing. Jackson trail rides/hacks in groups or alone. Jackson is an easy keeper in the barn as well as Mr. Personality. Currently barefoot and lives off air. Suited for a Junior or AA to finish in a program.

$20k.

Located at Baile Hill Farm in Sutton, MA.

Please email [email protected] for more info or to set up a viewing.

08/25/2021

In this excerpt from her book Pilates for Horses, eventer and Pilates instructor Laura Reiman teaches us two great (and simple!) exercises to strengthen your horse’s core and thoracic sling, and increase his ability to

08/24/2021

“It’s simple
Not easy”

Jim Wofford explains how to simplify, not stack, aids to improve your riding.

08/24/2021

"You've got to be fair to the horse, but it has to be a mutual respect. And sometimes people they'll be like, 'Well I love him, and he's my friend. I write poems about him and stuff. I just don't want to.... oh, gosh.... I just don't want to....'

You don't want to what? Do your job?

Horses that are disrespectful are not happy horses. You're not giving them a good life. It's a hateful, violent life. So by not stepping up and doing your job, you are being cruel. Because somewhere along the line, if he's ever going to be worth a damn for anything, someone is going to have to line him out, and then put him through 9 kinds of hell to get to where you change the behavior pattern he's been living his whole life. Well that's not very fair either. So you're better off to just have him behave."

~Buck Brannaman

08/18/2021

How you talk about your horse matters, because it reflects how you think about your horse.

How you think about your horse matters because it is the starting place from how you see your horse's behaviors, responses and needs...
.. and this will influence how you engage and work with your horse.

"He's just spooking to get out of work."

"She's just a snarky mare."

"He's just lazy and doesn't want to respond to my aids."

"She hates the whip."

"He just doesn't want to do it."

How do you relate to a horse if you're coming from that perspective?

Those are all negative words that come from a negative bias, and they make it seem as if the horse is plotting against us or unwilling to work towards a productive relationship.

Their brain simply isn't capable of working that way because of its construction and function.

It's in the horse's very nature to synchrinize and work together as a unit/group/herd/partnership for safety.

How about throwing away those limiting thoughts and replacing them with thoughts that reflect awareness, and offer actual insight to show our understanding of the situation and needs of our partner, the horse.

Replacing those thoughts above with more appropriate thoughts might look like this:

"He's tense or worried about something and it's distracting him from the work."

"She's sensitive and I offer my aids or requests in ways she thinks are offensive."

"He doesn't understand my aids clearly, or is maybe weak and unable to properly respond."

"She was never properly introduced to the whip, so I need to help her to reduce her anxiety."

"He just doesn't understand yet."

How do you relate to a horse if you're coming from that perspective?

The whole idea I'm trying to get at is that we need to drop our defensive negativity bias. Even in our basic thoughts towards and about our horses, because they have a tremendous influence on how we relate to them. This influences the success or failure of our partnership.

It up to you... and your thoughts.